HM Government

The Estates Professional Services framework (RM3816) could save public sector bodies like local councils, NHS trusts, schools, the emergency services and housing associations £35 million over the next 4 years.

The new framework enables organisations to buy advice, guidance and associated services to help them to manage their estates and assets, reduce property costs, release unwanted property assets, and identify savings and opportunities to generate income from land and buildings.

It is expected that £430 million will be spent through the framework over the next 4 years. More than a third of the businesses supplying the new agreement are SMEs (35%), with regional expertise maximised through an innovative lotting structure.

Stakeholders from across central government, devolved administrations and the wider public sector have been engaged since the procurement began in order to build a commercial framework that suits diverse customer requirements.

More than 120 suppliers contacted CCS about the agreement and were kept engaged throughout the process.

How it will work

The agreement will complement other CCS property frameworks including Project Management and Full Design Team Services, Facilities Management, and Construction, enabling CCS to provide a comprehensive offering for property management solutions.

The framework will be structured into 4 lots, with regional panels included on lot 2.

• Lot 1 – National
• Lot 2A – East Anglia
• Lot 2B – East & West Midlands
• Lot 2C – London & South East England
• Lot 2D – North East England
• Lot 2E – North West England & North Wales
• Lot 2F – Northern Ireland
• Lot 2G – Scotland
• Lot 2H – South Wales & South West England
• Lot 3 – Vertical Real Estate
• Lot 4 – Facilities Management and Property Services (Procurement Managed Service)

What’s different about this framework?

The framework offers a wider range of services and provides access to vertical real estate suppliers for the first time, as well as a managed procurement offering.

More SMEs have won places to supply estates services to the public sector than ever before, with a new focus on regional expertise.

It also offers a more flexible pricing model than before, with various options available to customers such as incentivised, gainshare, hourly/daily rates and lump sum, enabling customers to tailor their contracts to meet their needs.

To find out more, visit the Estates Professional Services web pages.

Read how Montagu Evans grew their business thanks to winning a place on Estates Professional Services.

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Plans for a world leading science campus in Harlow are a step further forward after Public Health England (PHE) submitted a planning application to Harlow District Council following extensive consultation with stakeholders and the local community over the last 18 months.

Made up of more than 3,000 documents and nearly 300 drawings and images, the outline application sets out PHE’s vision for turning the former GlaxoSmithKline site at the Pinnacles Industrial Estate into a centre of excellence for public health research, improvement and protection.

This milestone follows PHE’s announcement in July that it had acquired the site.

If approved, the plans will see PHE co-locate most of its current facilities at Porton in Wiltshire, Colindale in north London and its central London headquarters to a single, state-of-the-art science campus. PHE Harlow will bring together experts in:

• cancer
• mental health
• nutrition
• smoking
• alcohol
• diabetes
• dementia
• infectious diseases
• environmental hazards
• climate change

The proposed development is expected to provide a major boost to the local economy with 2,750 staff to be based at the currently vacant site by 2024, with possible future expansion to 3,250. Thousands of construction-related jobs would be created during the development of the site, of which it is hoped a significant number would be recruited locally. Building work is expected to start in 2019 with phased occupation starting in 2021.

To help develop the next generation of scientists and meet its future recruitment needs, PHE will pursue academic and commercial partnerships and work closely with local schools and colleges to offer work experience and apprenticeships. The plans include a large visitor area where school groups and the local community would meet PHE scientists, attend talks, workshops and learn about public health, science and research.

The planning application also includes a Travel and Visitor Plan, which outlines car parking provision and sets out sustainable travel and transport plans for the site. These include shuttle buses to and from Harlow Town railway station as well as car-share and cycle-to-work schemes.

PHE is committed to making Harlow its home and to being a good neighbour. The planning application outlines PHE’s longer term commitments to Harlow, through investment in highways and public transport, early years childcare and contributing to Harlow’s important history of public art and sculpture.

Richard Gleave, Deputy Chief Executive, PHE said:

I am delighted that we have now submitted our plans for consideration, following extensive discussions with the local community, relevant authorities and other stakeholders. We want to make Harlow our home and we believe the science campus will bring long-term benefits for the area, as well as unique opportunities for public health research on a national and international scale.

To view the full application please visit www.bit.ly/PHEHarlow.

1. Public Health England exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. It does this through world-class science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health. Follow us on Twitter: @PHE_uk and Facebook: www.facebook.com/PublicHealthEngland.

2. PHE submitted an Outline Business Case to Government in July 2014. An interim decision was taken in September 2015 to move the majority of PHE functions from Porton to Harlow. In November 2015 the Government supported a further proposal to move PHE science facilities at Colindale to Harlow to create a single integrated campus. It has committed £400million capital investment for the project.

3. It is hoped the public health science campus will be fully operational by 2024, with the first building work expected to start in 2019 and a phased occupation from 2021.

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Working with our partners in the Midlands Fraud Forum we’ve produced this series of short films were victims of common scams tell their story and share with you the simple steps they could have taken to avoid being scammed. These stories are told by actors but each one is a true story.

Scamming the retailer

Scamming the retailer

Shops and suppliers regularly fall victim to common scams. A retailer tells you how to spot suspicious customers.

Scammed by a fake detective

Scammed by a fake detective

A couple lose all their money because they didn’t properly check the identity of a fake detective. Never give away your debit and credit cards or disclose your PIN number.

Scammed by an online relationship interest

Scammed by an online relationship interest

A lonely heart gave £20k to the woman he met online before he realised she was a fake. Always verify your online friends are who they say they are.

Scammed by email

Scammed by email

A homeowner had his Hotmail account hacked and he unwittingly paid a fraudster for building work rather than the tradesman who had done the work. Always speak with suppliers before making online payments.

Scammed by the caregiver

Scammed by the caregiver

An elderly nursing resident trusted her caregiver with her debit card and PIN number and had all her money stolen. Never give your card to others for online purchases or share you PIN number.

Scammed by the fake insurance broker

Scammed by the fake insurance broker

A university student bought cheap online car insurance online only to get fined when it was later discovered that it was fake and he was uninsured. Only buy insurance from a reputable company.

Scammed online

Scammed online

A university student claimed a tax refund he was told in an email he was due, only to have his bank account drained. Always check emails are genuine before handing over your personal details.

Scammed by my housemates

Scammed by my housemates

A university student’s identity was stolen by one of her housemates and her bank account was used the launder money damaging her credit record. Always regularly monitor your bank account.

Scamming my customers

Scamming my customers

A bankrupt continued to run a company even though he was disqualified from doing so and when it failed he was sent to prison. Always make sure you understand your obligations as a bankrupt.

Scammed by telesales

Scammed by telesales

An elderly woman living alone is persuaded to stop taking prescribed medication and replace it with healthcare supplements sold over the phone. Always check with family members if you are unsure of offers from telemarketers.

Scammed by a fake investment scheme

Scammed by a fake investment scheme

An investor loses his investment after buying into a fake Spanish property development, increasing money in the scheme when it seems to make early returns. Always do your research on investment schemes.

Scammed by cheque fraud

Scammed by cheque fraud

A busy businessman pre-signs a stack of cheques for his accounts clerk who uses them to steal over £300k from the company. Never pre-sign cheques.

Scammed on the phone by a fake call from the bank

Scammed on the phone by a fake call from the bank

An accounts administrator gives security details over the phone when a fraudster uses a spoofing app to make him think its his bank calling. Always phone your bank back to verify the identity of callers.

Anyone can be taken in by a scam, so don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed if it happens to you. If you think you’ve been scammed, or you’ve spotted a scam contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online and get help.

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Fixture information

Date: Thursday 24 August 2017

Venue: Poljud Stadium, Split, Croatia

Kick off time: 9:00pm (local time); 8:00pm (UK time)

Everton supporter meeting point: ZVONČAC Park, address: Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića

As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Croatia.

Passports and visas

Please check your passport and visa details:

• You don’t need a visa to travel to Croatia if you have a British Citizen passport; but your passport should be valid for dates including travel back to the UK;
• If you have a different type of British nationality (other than ‘British Citizen’), check entry requirements with the Croatian Embassy in London before you travel;
• Make sure you take out good travel insurance even if you’re only going for one night – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties;
• The British Embassy have been advised you may need your passport (and your match ticket) to gain entry to the stadium;
• If you lose your passport, or have it stolen, contact the British Consulate Split on +385 1 6009 100 (choosing option 2 for consular issues) or by e-mail at Croatia Consular to book an appointment to apply for an Emergency Travel Document.

Getting to Poljud Stadium

• Poljud Stadium is located 1km north of the city centre; you can find a map showing the location of the stadium here
• The stadium holds 35 000 supporters;
• The meeting place for Everton supporters is near the city centre, at ZVONČAC park address: Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića;
• Catering and toilet facilities are available here, and this area is close to restaurants and the beach;
• This area will be safeguarded by police officers all day;
• Hajduk will provide complimentary buses for the Everton fans from the meeting point at Zvončac park to the Poljud stadium;
• The first bus will leave at 18:00h and the intention is to transfer all Everton supporters to the stadium by 19:00h;
• Each of these transfers will have a police escort and supporters will be taken directly to their stadium entrance, where water, soft drinks and snacks will be available;
• Taxis are plentiful and cheap by UK standards. Most taxis are metered. Vehicles may vary in colour.

At the match

• The visiting supporters are allocated seats in a segregated area at the South East corner of the stadium;
• Disabled supporters can be accommodated but not with the visiting support, albeit the area set aside is in close proximity, just to the right of the Police control box;
• Access to the stadium can be slow, there will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrance control before entrance to the stadium;
• To avoid missing the start of the match, you should get to the stadium early – entrances will open at 18:00h;
• Anyone who is visibly drunk will not be allowed into the stadium;
• Alcoholic drinks, glass packaging, drugs, pyrotechnics, weapons, flares, umbrellas, fireworks, lighters, plastic bottles and other rigid items, bags and backpacks, flags on wooden or metal sticks are banned and cannot be taken into the stadium;
• Refreshments (soft drinks, water and snacks) will be available at the stadium.

Helpful tips for local area

You should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport – only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits.

Tap water in Split is drinkable.

British Consulate Split, Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 10/3, Split 21000, Split.

Tel: +385 1 6009 100 (also for out of hours emergencies); choose option 2 for consular issues.

Office hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 17:30pm, Friday, 8:30am to 14:00pm.

For more information please visit our website.

Emergency services numbers

• General emergencies: 112
• Police: 192
• Ambulance: 194
• Fire brigade: 193

Further information

Follow the British Embassy on Twitter for up to the minute travel advice.

Tourist information about Croatia.

Information about the city of Split.

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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is warning people to not use or buy Hightop HIV/AIDS Home Test Kit after seizing 114 potentially unreliable products from 2 UK based suppliers.

If you believe you have used a Hightop HIV/AIDS Home Test Kit you should seek a further HIV test at your local sexual health clinic or through your GP, because the self-test kits may be unreliable and provide false results.

All UK based stock of Hightop HIV/AIDS Home Test Kit have been seized by MHRA and all sales of the product into the UK market have been stopped by the manufacturer.

The HIV kits, manufactured by Qingdao Hightop Biotech Co Ltd, do not have a valid CE mark which means the product has not met a number of regulatory requirements concerning test performance, labelling and instructions for use for use. MHRA is investigating the issue with experts at Public Health England.

Always make sure the HIV test kit has a CE mark and is clearly intended for self-testing. Only approved HIV self-testing kits that have met the appropriate regulatory requirements concerning test performance, labelling and directions for use carry a CE mark.

Whether buying from the high street or online, only buy a self-test kit from a reputable source, such as an online pharmacy registered with MHRA. In the UK online pharmacies must be registered with MHRA and display the European Common Logo on every page of their website. Read our #FakeMeds top tips for more information on buying medicines and medical devices, including HIV home-testing kits, safely online.

You can find out more about where to buy HIV test kits at HIV Aware.

Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your health or test results. Suspected faulty test kits can be reported via the Yellow Card Scheme.

MHRA’s Director of Devices, John Wilkinson, said:

People who buy a self-test kit online or from the high street should know what they are buying is safe and reliable. Make sure the kit has a CE mark and clearly states that it is intended for home self-testing. Don’t use a test kit if it’s damaged or the seal is broken.

If you are concerned you may have used an unreliable test kit, speak to your GP, sexual health clinic, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.

We continue to encourage people to report any issues involving medical devices to MHRA via our Yellow Card Scheme.

Cary James, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), said:

Home self-test kits for HIV and STIs have many benefits, including letting people test in their own space, in their own time, on their terms. However we are extremely concerned to see unregulated produce on the market and urge anyone considering a test to only use those with a CE mark. Anyone taking a test without a CE mark risks their own health and that of others.

Dr Kirsty Foster, Consultant in STIs and Blood Borne Viruses at PHE, said:

HIV tests are free and testing through a sexual health clinic is strictly confidential. We would encourage anyone who thinks they may have been at risk of HIV to get tested as soon as possible, as early diagnosis and treatment are highly effective in helping people with HIV remain in good health long term and reduce the risk of passing the virus on.

John Wilkinson discusses Hightop HIV/AIDS Home Test Kits

Background

1. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK.

2. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Health.

3. HIV self-testing is when an individual performs an HIV test on themselves, in private, and gets an immediate result. This is not to be confused with Home Sampling which is where individuals order a self-sampling kit, take their own sample in the privacy of their own home and return it to a laboratory for testing and results management.

4. Since April 2014, it has been lawful to sell, and advertise for sale, CE-marked HIV self-testing kits in England, Scotland and Wales. To receive approval for sale in the UK, HIV self-test kits must meet a number of requirements concerning test performance, labelling and directions for use.

5. Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity

6. THT Direct, 0808 802 1221, gives support, advice and information. Their advisers can provide emotional support if people are worried about their sexual health or have concerns about living with HIV. They can help people access services local to them across the UK, whether provided by THT or by someone else.

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